Environmental Justice and Aggressive Behaviour: Examining the Psychological Impact of Environmental Inequality on Marginalized Communities

Menuchim Levi Miller Levi-Okpara

doi:10.51699/cajssh.v7i3.1376

Authors

Menuchim Levi Miller Levi-Okpara Sectional Instructor, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Sciences, Brandon University, Manitoba, Canada

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51699/cajssh.v7i3.1376

Keywords:

Environmental inequality, environmental justice, aggressive behaviour, environmental problems, psychological stress, marginalized communities

Abstract

This study examined environmental justice and aggressive behaviour, focusing on the psychological impact of environmental inequality on residents in marginalized communities. The study was guided by two objectives which were to determine the relationship between environmental inequality and aggressive behaviour, and to assess the psychological impact of environmental inequality on aggressive behaviour. A cross-sectional survey research design was adopted, with a sample size of 382 respondents selected from a population of 8,420 residents using a multistage sampling technique. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analysed using descriptive statistics and Pearson Product Moment Correlation at 0.05 level of significance. The findings revealed a significant positive relationship between environmental inequality and aggressive behaviour (r = 0.68, p < 0.05). It was also found that environmental inequality has a significant psychological impact on aggressive behaviour (r = 0.72, p < 0.05). The study concluded that environmental inequality contributes significantly to psychological stress and aggressive behavioural outcomes in marginalized communities. It was recommended that government agencies improve environmental conditions in deprived communities and implement community-based psychological support programs to reduce stress-related aggression.

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